The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK, the action of a drug in the body over a period of time) of multiple intravenous (IV) administrations of CNTO 136 in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The secondary goal of this study was to assess the pharmacodynamics (biochemical and physiological effects of a drug and the mechanisms of action), immune response, and clinical response.

A Phase 1, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multiple Intravenous, Ascending-Dose Study of CNTO 136 to Evaluate Safety and Pharmacokinetics in Subjects With Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus and to Evaluate Safety and Pharmacokinetics in a Cohort of Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Measurement of disease activity, scored from 0 (absent) to 70 (severe), and damage, scored from 0 (absent) to 56 (severe)

British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) score [ Time Frame: Up to 22 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Measures the need for alterations or intensification of therapy. The assessing physician considers each item as to its presence in the past month, and answers 0 = not present, 1 = improving; 2 = same; 3 = worse; or 4 = new.

In Part A of this study, patients with CLE were randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to receive multiple IV doses of CNTO 136, a human anti-IL 6 monoclonal antibody (an immune protein that binds to interleukin 6) or placebo (a substance that appears identical to the treatment and has no active ingredients). Patients and study personnel did not know the identity of the administered treatments (double-blind study). Increasing doses were given, based on safety data collected during the initial weeks of treatment. In Part B, which was also double-blind, patients with SLE were randomly assigned to receive multiple IV doses of the highest well-tolerated dose, as determined in Part A, of CNTO 136, or placebo.

Patients in Part A who were taking systemic medications for CLE had to be on a stable dose for 4 weeks before the first study agent infusion

Patients in Part B taking systemic medications for SLE had to be on a stable dose for at least 3 months before the first study agent infusion

Given informed consent and willing and able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements; agreed to avoid alcohol intake; and took adequate measures to prevent pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

Significant history of or concurrent medical condition (other than lupus)

Use of specific previous or concurrent medications or investigational therapies

Known or suspected allergy to the study agent or it constituents, having recently donated blood, or having any significant laboratory test values requiring intervention

Patients with SLE in Part B could not have active central nervous system lupus

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01702740